Kare11
Social media buzzes over hand-holding mystery couple
A Facebook post revealed deep community affection for a couple seen walking the same route for 28 years.
EAGAN, Minn. — This summer in Eagan, mosquitoes weren’t the only thing buzzing.
“Makes my heart smile every time,” one resident posted on the Eagan Neighbors Facebook page.
“They’re our favorite,” wrote another.
Page administrator Jennifer Peery watched as comment after comment landed on the site, and views reached the thousands.
“Eight-thousand views is a lot, I mean there’s only 12,000 people in the group,” Jennifer says.
All that attention, focused on this post:
To the sweet older couple who regularly walks their German Shephard while holding hands in the Town Centre area, thank you. For years I’ve noticed you while driving around Eagan and every time I do it fills my cup. #truelove #daymakers.
The post was written by Heather Erickson, who’s been driving past the mystery hand-holding couple for years
“I always wonder, what’s their story? Who are they?” Heather told KARE 11. “Every time I see them, they’re holding hands. Every time.”
Within hours of posting, Jennifer found her answer among the dozens of responses to her post.
The mystery walkers were Bob and Pat Klecker, who had no idea they were being watched – and admired – while on their daily walks.
“Well, we were kind of surprised,” Bob says.
“Because it just seems pretty ordinary to us,” Pat adds.
Despite the eyeballs being cast in their direction, Bob and Pat aren’t holding hands for attention.
“We both were walkers and we started dating, started walking, doing our walks, kind of always held hands,” Bob says.
Bob and Pat started dating in 1988, eight years after first meeting at a church choir practice.
Thrity-two years after tying the knot, they continue stitching together their fingers at every opportunity.
“I guess if you’ve been doing it all along, it never gets uncomfortable,” Bob says.
He mentions the word soulmate. “A lot of people talk about that, but you’re really a lucky person if you actually find one,” he says.
So, with intertwining fingers, they walk, morning and afternoon, five miles a day — the same route for the past 28 years.
The only variable has been the German Shephard by their sides. Anya is their third.
“It’s just like this steadfast togetherness that gives me that warm feeling when I see them,” Heather says.
“They have absolutely no idea the impact they’re making on the community,” she says. “When I’m 70 or 80 years old, I want to still be that in love with my partner.”
Jennifer smiles, then adds, “I just love them, and I don’t even know them.”
At that point, her KARE 11 visitors mention that they happen to know Bob and Pat’s route and walking schedule, which is how she happened to be giving them hugs that very day on their afternoon walk.
“You guys are like our couple of Eagan,” she tells them. “We love it.”
In that moment, as both Bob and Pat hugged Jennifer, their hands came apart.
But then, seconds later, right back together – where they belong.
Ten fingers, making their way through life, as one.
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Sylvester Hudson walks with a limp and was last seen early on Saturday morning at Millers Landing Senior Living in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are asking for the public’s help finding a missing elderly man last seen early on Saturday morning.
According to officials, 74-year-old Sylvester Hudson is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs around 130 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes.
Hudson is possibly wearing a black hat, jeans and socks. he walks with a limp and police said he would likely appear confused or disoriented.
The missing man was last seen around 3 a.m. at Millers Landing Senior Living in Minneapolis.
Anyone who sees Hudson is asked to contact officials in one of the following ways:
The annual celebration will feature wagon rides to cider making and sheepdog herding.
MINNETRISTA, Minn — Celebrate the changing of the seasons at Gale Woods Farm.
Located on Whaletail Lake in Minnetrista, Gale Woods Farm offers visitors an educational opportunity to gain an understanding of agriculture, food production, and land stewardship.
Fall Fest will be celebrated Sunday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The annual celebration will feature wagon rides to cider making and sheepdog herding.
Admission is free as is parking which is available throughout the park.
The mocktail is inspired by pumpkin pie spice and Minnesota Grown apple cider.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — In anticipation of the influx of holiday parties and alcohol consumption that happens in November and December, consumers are increasingly participating in “Sober October.”
A lot of ready-to-drink, new, seasonal, clean non-alcoholic options are in store now, including:
- Nozeco (pronounced like prosecco!) is a sparkling drink made from dealcoholized wine, maintaining the true flavor and experience of wine, without any next-day consequences.
- Sayso looks like a tea sachet that you simply “steep” in cold water (or alcohol).
- Mingle RTD cans are naturally infused, low-calorie botanical beverages in your favorite cocktail flavors, with no artificial sweeteners
- Recess Zero Proof cans are low-sugar, low-calorie mocktails infused with 10mg of naturally occurring caffeine from guayusa and balancing adaptogens like L-theanine and lemon balm.
We’re celebrating Sober October with a mocktail inspired by pumpkin pie spice and one of fall’s best bevvies – fresh pressed, Minnesota Grown apple cider! This is a great drink for sipping at a tailgate, a bonfire or a Halloween porch party.
SPARKLY CIDER-PUMPKIN MOCKTAILS
- 2 tbsp. superfine sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
- pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 lemon wedge
- ½ cup Kowalski’s Minnesota Grown Apple Cider
- ¼ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tbsp. Kowalski’s Cinnamon or Bourbon Maple Syrup
- 2 tsp. Kowalski’s Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- ½ tsp. Kowalski’s Organic Madagascar Vanilla Extract or Paste
- ice
- non-alcoholic sparkling wine (such as Nozeco) cold, to taste
- fresh Minnesota Grown apple slices, for garnish
- Pour sugar onto a flat-rimmed dish; whisk in 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice and cayenne.
- Moisten the rims of 2 martini or coupe glasses with the lemon wedge; dip the rims in spiced sugar. Set glasses aside.
- Add cider, pumpkin purée, syrup, lemon juice, vanilla and remaining pumpkin pie spice to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice to fill the shaker ⅔ full; shake until the mixture is very cold (about 30 sec.).
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer evenly into the prepared glasses.
- Top each glass evenly with wine; stir gently.
- Garnish mocktails with fresh apple slices.
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